BreakOUT!
About BreakOUT!
BreakOUT! envisions a New Orleans, LA where transgender, gender non-conforming, and queer youth of color can live without fear of harassment and discrimination. Founded on the principle that young people directly impacted by the criminal legal system possess the wisdom and power to transform their own communities, BreakOUT! centers the voices and leadership of LGBTQI Black, African Diasporic, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, Arab, and multi-racial youth throughout the city. The organization seeks to end the criminalization of LGBTQI youth by building community power through authentic relationships, healing from trauma, and sustained leadership development. BreakOUT! inherits and honors the Deep South's powerful legacy of resistance and community organizing, drawing strength from generations of activists who fought for liberation and justice. By creating spaces where young people can heal together, organize collectively, and develop their leadership capacities, BreakOUT! works toward a more just New Orleans where all LGBTQI youth—especially those of color and those with involvement in the criminal legal system—can thrive safely and authentically.